A method to determine the impact of reduced visual function on nodule detection performance

Purpose: In this study we aim to validate a method to assess the impact of reduced visual function and observer performance concurrently with a nodule detection task. Materials and methods: Three consultant radiologists completed a nodule detection task under three conditions: without visual defocus (0.00 Dioptres; D), and with two different magnitudes of visual defocus ( 1.00 D and 2.00 D). Defocus was applied with lenses and visual function was assessed prior to each image evaluation. Observers evaluated the same cases on each occasion; this comprised of 50 abnormal cases containing 1e4 simulated nodules (5, 8, 10 and 12 mm spherical diameter, 100 HU) placed within a phantom, and 25 normal cases (images containing no nodules). Data was collected under the free-response paradigm and analysed using Rjafroc. A difference in nodule detection performance would be considered significant at p < 0.05. Results: All observers had acceptable visual function prior to beginning the nodule detection task. Visual acuity was reduced to an unacceptable level for two observers when defocussed to 1.00 D and for one observer when defocussed to 2.00 D. Stereoacuity was unacceptable for one observer when defocussed to 2.00 D. Despite unsatisfactory visual function in the presence of defocus we were unable to find a statistically significant difference in nodule detection performance (F(2,4) 1⁄4 3.55, p 1⁄4 0.130). Conclusion: A method to assess visual function and observer performance is proposed. In this pilot evaluation we were unable to detect any difference in nodule detection performance when using lenses to reduce visual function

The issue of outwelling in the Guadiana River estuary (Portugal): some findings and research suggestions in the context of recent evidence

Abstract The ‘‘Outwelling Theory’’ states that salt marshes play a major role in exporting production to adjacent estuarine and coastal ecosystems. However, it has been found that some marshes act as net importers instead of net exporters of organic matter and nutrients. Once we include mangroves and refine the analysis to comprehend bacterioplankton, organic and stable isotope tracers, the picture became, more complex, making room for a revival of the outwelling idea. The exchanges between the Castro Marim salt marsh and the main estuary were tentatively established determining periodically, in a selected cross-section, the concentrations of TSS, FSS, VSS, NH4, NO2, NO3, NKjeldhal, SiO4, PO4, TDP, Chlorophyll a and Pheopigments, measuring their fluxes along tidal cycles and computing the corresponding budgets. Apparently, the sedimentary behaviour of the marsh will be close to equilibrium during the period of study. However, it will import mainly inert matter and export mainly organic matter in the same period. Moreover, extrapolating these results to the entire Guadiana salt marshes, the exchanges of sediment do not seem to be significant. Particularly, the marshes will not trap a significantly amount sediment transported by the main river (0.5%). It also seems to follow, that in a general way, the Guadiana salt marshes might have a more significant role than was anticipated in the system economy ofOMand nutrients and their outwelling to coastal waters, assuring outputs that could amount to something like 6% of the river load of N, 1.2% of the river load of P, and 20-57% of the river load of TOC, for an average year, and 42% of the river load of Nand 35% of the river load of P in a dry year. These findings suggest that a more detailed investigation, over an extended period of time, is certainly worthwhile

Radiation dose and image quality optimisation in medical imaging

Following the successful OPTIMAX summer school held in Salford, 2013, we organised another OPTIMAX summer school in Lisbon during August, 2014. Sixty six people participated,comprising PhD, MSc and BSc students as well as tutors from the 5 European partners. Professional mix was drawn from engineering, medical physics / physics, radiography and occupational therapy. The summer school was hosted by the Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Portugal. It was funded by Erasmus,aside one additional student who was funded by Nuffield.The summer school comprised of lectures and group work in which experimental research projects were conducted in six teams. Team project focus varied, with two concentrating on iterative reconstruction (CT), one into interface pressure mapping (between human body and imaging couch) whilst the remaining three focused to determining ways to reduce dose whilst preserving image quality for different projection radiography procedures. The summer school culminated in a conference, in which each team presented two oral papers.One paper reviewed the literature on their area of interest,whilst the other considered their experimental findings. The oral papers were also presented in written format, in journal article style, and after editing they have been included within this book. At the time of editing this book, several of the experimental papers had been submitted to conferences and some lecturers have commenced development work in order to make them fit for submission to journals

Assessment of microbiota present on a Portuguese historical stone convent using high-throughput sequencing approaches

The study performed on the stone materials from the Convent of Christ revealed the presence of a complex microbial ecosystem, emphasizing the determinant role of microorganisms on the biodecay of this built cultural heritage. In this case study, the presence of Rubrobacter sp., Arthrobacter sp., Roseomonas sp., and Marinobacter sp. seems to be responsible for colored stains and biofilm formation while Ulocladium sp., Cladosporium sp., and Dirina sp. may be related to structural damages. The implementation of high-throughput sequencing approaches on the Convent of Christ's biodecay assessment allowed us to explore, compare, and characterize the microbial communities, overcoming the limitations of culture-dependent techniques, which only identify the cultivable population. The application of these different tools and insights gave us a panoramic view of the microbiota thriving on the Convent of Christ and signalize the main biodeteriogenic agents acting on the biodecay of stone materials. This finding highlighted the importance of performing metagenomic studies due to the improvements and the reduced amount of sample DNA needed, promoting a deeper and more detailed knowledge of the microbiota present on these dynamic repositories that support microbial life. This will further enable us to perform prospective studies in quarry and applied stone context, monitoring biogenic and nonbiogenic agents, and also to define long-term mitigation strategies to prevent biodegradation/biodeterioration processes

Biocomposite macrospheres based on strontium-bioactive glass for application as bone fillers

Traditional bioactive glass powders are typically composed of irregular particles that can be packed into dense configurations presenting low interconnectivity, which can limit bone ingrowth. The use of novel biocomposite sphere formulations comprising bioactive factors as bone fillers are most advantageous, as it simultaneously allows for packing the particles in a 3-dimensional manner to achieve an adequate interconnected porosity, enhanced biological performance, and ultimately a superior new bone formation. In this work, we develop and characterize novel biocomposite macrospheres of Sr-bioactive glass using sodium alginate, polylactic acid (PLA), and chitosan (CH) as encapsulating materials for finding applications as bone fillers. The biocomposite macrospheres that were obtained using PLA have a larger size distribution and higher porosity and an interconnectivity of 99.7%. Loose apatite particles were observed on the surface of macrospheres prepared with alginate and CH by means of soaking into a simulated body fluid (SBF) for 7 days. A dense apatite layer was formed on the biocomposite macrospheresâ surface produced with PLA, which served to protect PLA from degradation. In vitro investigations demonstrated that biocomposite macrospheres had minimal cytotoxic effects on a human osteosarcoma cell line (SaOS-2 cells). However, the accelerated degradation of PLA due to the degradation of bioactive glass may account for the observed decrease in SaOS-2 cells viability. Among the biocomposite macrospheres, those composed of PLA exhibited the most promising characteristics for their potential use as fillers in bone tissue repair applications.This work was funded by grant #2019/15960-6, São Paulo Research Foundation in Brazil (FAPESP) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Reference UID/CTM/50025/2019 and FCT/Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education in Portugal (MCTES) and by European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) funds through the COMPETE 2020 Program in the framework of ORAiDEA project (ref n° 39985 - AAC 31/SI/2017). The authors would also like to acknowledge Materials Research Center (CENIMAT) of the Associated Laboratory Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodeling and Nanofabrication (i3N), NOVA University of LisbonCENIMAT|i3N and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development in Brazil CNPq (303149/2018-3). Ibrahim Fatih Cengiz acknowledges the FCT distinction attributed to him under the “Estímulo ao Emprego Científico” program (2021.01969.CEECIND). The authors thank the financial support provided under the projects: “HEALTH-UNORTE: Setting-up biobanks and regenerative medicine strategies to boost research in cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological, oncological, immunological, and infectious diseases”, reference NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000039, funded by the Norte Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N), under the NORTE2020 Program; Projects LA/P/0037/2020, UIDP/50025/2020, and UIDB/50025/ 2020 of the Associate Laboratory i3N financed by national funds from FCT

Anesthesiology Consensus in the Management of the Airway

Os consensos na gestão clínica da via aérea em anestesiologia pretendem disponibilizar informação, baseada na evidência atual ou, na falta desta, na opinião de peritos, no que respeita à abordagem da via aérea difícil previsível ou não previsível. Reforçamos a importância da avaliação da via aérea e da identificação de potenciais problemas que possam condicionar dificuldade na sua abordagem e a adoção de uma estratégia segura que permita identificar e responder em crescendo de intervenção às dificuldades encontradas. Na impossibilidade de intubação traqueal (não intubo) otimizada e limitada a 4 tentativas, da impossibilidade de ventilar e oxigenar (não oxigeno) após 2 tentativas de usar um dispositivo supraglótico ou de uso de máscara facial inicialmente adequada é importante realizar, em tempo útil, uma cricotirotomia para assegurar oxigenação. As situações clínicas de exceção só com planos simples, conhecidos por todos e regularmente treinados e adaptados à nossa atividade clinica podem assegurar melhores “outcomes”. O registo destes eventos e a informação ao nosso doente da dificuldade encontrada e modo como foi resolvido o problema é essencial e constitui ainda um desafio a alargar a uma base nacional.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Population ecology of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as an invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and an imperiled species in Europe

The sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus (Linnaeus) is both an invasive non-native species in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America and an imperiled species in much of its native range in North America and Europe. To compare and contrast how understanding of population ecology is useful for control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in Europe, we review current understanding of the population ecology of the sea lamprey in its native and introduced range. Some attributes of sea lamprey population ecology are particularly useful for both control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in the native range. First, traps within fish ladders are beneficial for removing sea lampreys in Great Lakes streams and passing sea lampreys in the native range. Second, attractants and repellants are suitable for luring sea lampreys into traps for control in the Great Lakes and guiding sea lamprey passage for conservation in the native range. Third, assessment methods used for targeting sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes are useful for targeting habitat protection in the native range. Last, assessment methods used to quantify numbers of all life stages of sea lampreys would be appropriate for measuring success of control in the Great Lakes and success of conservation in the native range

OPTIMAX 2017 : radiation dose, image quality optimisation,the use of new technology in medical imaging

This year OPTIMAX settled in Oslo. After the successof previous years, we are proud to present the fourthEbook. As in previous years, the group was madeup of PhD-, MSc- and BSc students as well astutors from the seven European partner universities.Professional mix was drawn from medical physics/physics and radiography. OPTIMAX 2017 was partlyfunded by the partner universities and partly by theparticipants. Two students from South Africa and twofrom Brazil were invited by Hanze UAS (Groningen)and ESTeSL (Lisbon) summer school includedlectures and group projects in which experimentalresearch was conducted in four teams. Four research projects were performed with a focuson radiation dose optimization and image quality,namely: Possible dose reduction for pediatric patientsfor conventional radiology; Can the tube voltage belowered with the use of direct-conversion flat paneldetector system?; Impact of body size and kV in chestradiography; Quantity assessment on Image quality ofCBCT images of head phantom with implants of metaland ceramic objects.The last day of OPTIMAX 2017there was a poster session and a conference, in whichthe research teams presented their posters and oralpresentations. This book comprises of two sections, the first twochapters concern generic background informationabout international teamwork during the OPTIMAXsummerschool. The next chapters with theory on which the researchprojects were built. The second section containsthe research papers of the four research projects.Two research papers, Can the tube voltage belowered with the use of direct-conversion flat-paneldetector system? And Impact of body size and kV inchest radiography: Experimental receiver operatingcharacteristic analysis using a Multipurpose ChestPhantom “Lungman” have been accepted for the ECRconference, Vienna, 2018 as oral presentations